Table lamp



June 19, 1934. P. STEIN 77 TABLE LAMP Filed June 1. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l /g I "50/9 Q e/ /9 ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1934.

1 NVENTORI- 1 /21/9032?! A TTORNE Y5.

Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED sTA'rEs PATENT OFFICE TABLE LAMP Philip Stein, Chicago, 111. Application June 1, 1932, Serial No. 614,701 4 Claims. (01. 240-4) My invention relates to table lamps, and more particularly to the application of such lamps to light, foldable or card tables.

The invention has for its objects to provide a lamp which is easily attachable to or removable from the table, and an electric tap and supply cord installation which is carried by the table and forms a part thereof when standing or folded.

With the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical card table showing the application of two lamps based on the novel installation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of one of the lamps, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a plan section on the line 3--3 of Fig.

2; Fig. 4 is an inverted view of Fig. 3';

Fig. 5 is an upright section, taken on the line 55 of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan detail of a modification,

partly including a section taken on the line 6'6 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line '77 of Fig. 6, partly in elevation;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the main por- 130 tion of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a further modification;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10--10 of Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 9.

: While my invention may be adaptable to, tables of any type, I have intended it more particularly forcard tables. It is a familiar fact that it is difiicultto secure proper illumination for such tables in the absence ofa ceiling light overhead,

" floor or. bridge lamps from other parts of the room usually being set alongside the table. Such lamps and their supply cords are usually in the way, which fact has prompted me to devise a lamp installation which is compact and especially adapted for card tables.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 15 denotes the top of a typical card table, the sides 15a thereof being of rolled metal, as indicated in Fig. 2. The corners of the top in such tables are -usua1ly rounded, as indicated by dotted lines in latter enters a base 18 which may be of bakelite or composition and is preferably of circular form as indicated in Fig. 4. The lamp base is intended to rest squarely upon the table top at one of the corners and receives a rubber insert 1801 next to the table top to prevent the marring of the latter. In the region of the table corner, the base hasa. depending skirt 18?) which is rounded to fit the said corner and extended downwardly with an arcuate rib 18c. Below the base 18, an

arcuate block 19 is provided, the object of the and the bottom of the table top as shown. Screws I 20 are directed from the block 19 upwardly into the base skirt 18b with the effect of gathering the two parts and clamping the table top between them. The lateral position of the rib 18c relative to the screws give the latter a leverage to make the block exert'the clamping influence upon the rim of the table top. In addition I have provided two bracket strips 21 on the inner sides of the block 19, securing these to the latter by screws 21a. The upper parts of the strips carry adjustable screws 21?; which are directed toward the inner side of the table rim, and serve as stops against tendencies for the table clamp to shift sidewise. Fig. 5shows another viewof the strips 21 and also the fact that the screws 21a are preferably directed into metallic sockets21cembedded in the block 19, this mode of fastening being more firm and dependable. While I have shown ordinary wood screws 20 for joining the clamp formed by the base 18 and the block 19, I may employ machine screws with metallic sockets as in the case just described, if a more permanent fastening is found expedient.

It is seen in Figs. 2 and 3, that the base 18 is vertically bored at 18d and made with a metallic I lining 18c to receive the lamp standard 17. The latter is made with across pin 22, whose protruding ends are guided in wall slots 22a made in the tubular receptacle 18c whereby to prevent the standard from turning when fitted into the receptacle. The standard, is of course, wired for electricity and has depending prong terminals, 17a at the bottom. These terminals are receivable in sockets 17c embedded in the base 18, and the supply wires 17d from the socket extend down through a bore 19b of the block 19 to receive a suitable outlet plug 190 from which they extend in the form of a typical cord 19d. The flexibility of the wires 17d enables the components of the clamp to be opened. to a suflicient extent to receive between them the corner of the table top when the same is to be fitted with the clamp. Also, a set of wires l'le extends from the bore 192) to be led across the table as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 to supply a second installation at the opposite corner of the table.

I lend the lamp base 8 a further use as a smoking accessory. For this purpose I recess the top of the base to receive a light tray 23, extending the rim of the tray with overlying formations 23a and 23b on opposite sides. The base has upstanding bosses 19c and 19f under these formations, and the formation 23a is perforated to permit the passage of the lamp standard 1'7, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In case the lamp is not to be used, it may be lifted out and the ash tray swung around to change the places of its formations, in which event the receptacle for the lamp standard is closed and no ashes will fall into the same. The base is also extended on opposite sides with projections 24 which are fluted on their upper sides as indicated at 24a to form cigar or cigaret rests. And further, the outer wall of the apron 18b is formed on each side of the corner with an internal recess 18]" approachable by a key slot the bottom of the block 19 is formed with a hook -26, more clearly shown in Figs. l and 5.

Two such hooks are had by a double lamp installationsuch as shown in Fig. 1serving for the wrapping of the lamp cord when the lamps are not in use.

The modification of Figs. 6 to 8 concerns the conventional wood card table, the apron sections 27 of which make square corners and usually carry the metallic binding plate 28. In this instance, the apron 18b of the lamp base 18 is recessed square to fit the corner of the table apron, as is clearly shown in Fig. 6. Also, the screws 20 driven through the clamping block 19 into the apron 18?) are supplemented by screws 20a driven similarly but into the table apron sections. In other respects, the clamp of this modification is quite the same as in the preferred structure.

l he modification of Figs. 9 to 11 deals with a table specially made for a lamp installation of the present type. As seen particularly in Fig. 10, the lamp base occurs as before except that it is not extended downwardly with an apron of its own, the table apron being thickened as indicated at 27b at the corners to serve the purpose. With a table specially made it is preferable to have the supply cord 19d issuing from the lower end of one of the legs, as shown in Fig. 10, the

leg being wired as indicated and made with a suitable spring contact arrangement 29 which closes when the leg is swung to standing position. When the leg is folded as indicated in Fig. 11, the contact is, of course broken, and the plug 190 may be removed from its lower end to enable the cord to be wrapped under the table top or otherwise disposed of.

It will be seen that the novel lamp arrangement is a handy adjunct that may be quickly attached to the conventional card table to provide a suitable and properly positioned light for the table. The clamp attachment is small enough not to be in the way of the players, especially on account of its position in a corner; and it does not in any way interfere with the folding-up of the table and the storage of the same until it is to be again used. When the lamps are not needed-as in the daytime-the attachment installations are ostensibly smoking and glass or cup holding accessories, serving as necessary articles for a card table; yet when light is needed it is an easy matter to simply fit the lamps to their bases and obtain an immediate and ehicient illumination. It is noted that the lamp standard shown full sizeis of small diameter and employs a contact unit of corresponding size, requiring but a small amount of room in the corner of the clamp for the electrical installation, and therefore enabling the installation to be made very compact. Finally, the installation is relatively of few and simple parts and is not apt to get out of order or require any attention for long periods of use.

I claim:

1. A lighting installation for tables comprising, a base applicable upon the table at its edge, an apron depending from the base alongside said edge, a block applicable to the apron from below, means for fastening the block to the apron, a current supply receptacle in the base, an electric lamp standard applicable to said receptacle, a current supply cord entering the block from below, and wire leads passing through the block and connecting with said receptacle, said leads being sufliciently flexible to permit the angular separation of the block from the base to the extent of receiving the table top between them.

2. A lighting installation for tables comprising a base applicable upon the table at its edge, an apron depending from the base alongside said edge, a block applicable to the apron from below, a marginal projection depending from the apron, fastening means directed from the block into the inner part of the apron to impart a convergent tendency upon the block and clamp the table top to the base, a current supply receptacle in the latter, and an electric lamp standard applicable to said receptacle.

3. The structure of claim 2 and laterally spaced stops engageable with the inner side of the table top to check twisting tendencies of the installation relative to the latter.

4. The structure of claim 2 and laterally spaced stops engageable with the inner side of the table top to check twisting tendencies of the installation relative to the latter, said stops being adjustable.

PHILIP STEIN. 

